Salon Team of the Year 2017

é SALON

Schwarzkopf Professional Hair Expo Salon Team of the Year 2017

Wahroonga, NSW

WRITHE

Photography: Milos Mlynarik

Stylist: Chris Lorimer

Makeup: Cherienne Waddell

What your inspiration was for the collection:

“For this collection, WRITHE, we were inspired by black and red art, in particular, the abstract artworks of artist Russell Mills. Mills paints predominantly black and red portraits with the faces in focus yet the bodies are blurred with brushstrokes of red smudged throughout the works.”

How the look was achieved:

“What appealed to us most about Mills’ paintings was the exaggerated shapes of the hair; we were inspired to create these shapes, however, add an editorial aspect, something quite embellished yet relatable to our salon work. We were really inspired by braids and our ability to exaggerate the head shape with curves and loops, bringing the feeling of motion and movement to the hair, hence the collection title.”

What the award means to you:

“It’s the most incredible feeling. Although this is the fourth time we’ve won, this year we really weren’t expecting it. It’s such an honour to be nominated with the other nine finalists. But to take it out has been amazing because I know what the other guys do for our industry and to be acknowledged by our peers is humbling, so hopefully, over the next 12 months we do the industry proud and we honour the award we’ve been given.”

On entering awards:

“I think with any awards you have to go into it well-organised and with a clear vision – the planning process is very important and it all starts very early on. Surround yourself with a good team –photographer, make-up artist, stylists – and ensure everyone is on board with the brief. What most people also underestimate is the harmony that needs to happen between the entire team. EVERYONE needs to be working harmoniously towards the one goal. This is imperative. There is no place for EGO.

We have won Hair Expo Salon Team of the Year for the past three consecutive years with three very different photographers, each who have their own distinct style. Each collection was completely different to the last one – Avant Garde, to Commercial Cuts, to Editorial. I do believe, however, that it’s the CULTURE we create that really sets us up for success.

Robert and Kay Lobetta have had such a powerful influence on us and one key thing – of the multitude of nuggets he has taught me – is this: always change 25 per cent of a project each year. This way, every four years you have something totally different, yet you never stray too far from your original message.

In this instance, we may have the same make-up artist, same stylist and of course the same hair team and a new photographer. Then we may get a new makeup artist and keep the same photographer and stylist.”